Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH09192’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Petunia  named ‘KLEPH09192’ particularly characterized by its red flowers, compact, semi-trailing growth habit, healthy outdoor performance, and continuous blooming habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH09192’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPH09192’. ‘KLEPH09192’ was discovered as a seedling resulting from a cross conducted in summer 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Petunia plant, ‘PH06 0001’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male Petunia plant, ‘PH06 0014’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in summer 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation in Stuttgart, Germany for more than 50 generations ‘KLEPH09192’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal commercial practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Red flowers;     -   2. Compact, semi-trailing growth habit;     -   3. Healthy outdoor performance; and     -   4. Continuous blooming habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows a close-up of a mature flower. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph was taken in May 2009 of a 5-month-old plant grown from rooted cuttings in an 11 centimeter pot in a greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPH09192’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in May 2009 on 5-month-old plants in 11 centimeter pots that were pinched once approximately one week after potting and grown in a greenhouse. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.         -   Genus and species.—Petunia hybrid.         -   Common name.—Petunia. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0001’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0014’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Compact.         -   Habit.—Semi-trailing.         -   Height (from top of soil).—14.0 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—18.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Vegetative propagation by terminal tip cuttings             or in-vitro propagation of shoot tips.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—10 weeks.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—16 days.         -   Root description.—Moderate density and moderate branching,             white roots. -   Stems:     -   -   Average number (basal).—5.         -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the             tip).—9.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—3.0 cm.         -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—4.0 mm to 10.0 mm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 144A.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm. Width: 1.3 cm to 1.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic.         -   Margin.—Weak undulation.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Immature and mature leaf.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 143A.             Lower surface: RHS 138B.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Venation.—Pinnate. Venation color: Upper surface: RHS 144B.             Lower surface: RHS 144C.         -   Petioles.—Absent. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.         -   Size.—Length: 4.1 cm. Diameter: 0.6 cm.         -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 58A.         -   Immature flower color.—RHS 46A.         -   Texture.—Smooth on upper surface. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuous flowering             during the summer.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower.         -   Number of flowers per node.—1.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—5 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.             Texture: Smooth. -   Flowers:     -   -   Shape.—Cup-shaped.         -   Size.—Diameter (flower face): 6.5 cm. Depth (total length of             flower): 4.0 cm. Funnel: Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter (at             opening): 1.0 cm. Outside texture: Smooth.         -   Mature flower.—Face/Margin color: Upper surface: RHS 50A.             Lower surface: RHS 51C. Corolla tube: Shape: Funnel-shaped.             Color inside (throat): RHS N155D. Color outside: RHS N155B.             Petals: Number: 5. Apex: Rounded to emarginate. Base:             Uniform. Margin: Entire, slightly undulating. Waviness: Low.             Lobation: Low. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):             Smooth.         -   Calyx arrangement.—Actinomorphic.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Color: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower             surface: RHS 138B. Length: 2.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape:             Lanceolate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Open. Margin: Entire.             Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needlelike with elliptic head.             Filament: Length: 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 155A.             Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 155A. Length: 0.1 cm.             Diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 155A. Amount: Abundant.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 2.3 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.             Stigma: Color: RHS 157A. Shape: Oval. Length: 0.2 cm.             Diameter: 0.2 cm. Style: Color: RHS 157D. Length: 2.1 cm.             Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Smooth. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No common diseases observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLEPH09192’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0001’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH09192’ has red flowers, while ‘PH06 0001’ has blue-purple flowers.

‘KLEPH09192’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0014’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH09192’ has a compact, semi-trailing growth habit, while ‘PH06 0014’ has a vigorous, long-trailing growth habit.

‘KLEPH09192’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘W158 F. Red fire’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH09192’ has a healthy outdoor performance, while ‘W158 F. Red fire’ is not very tolerant to rain. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH09192’ as shown and described herein. 